• It is the 133rd day of the war: over 28,000 people have been killed in Gaza. In Israel, 1,200 people died in the attack on October 7th.
• Hamas threatens to break off negotiations if aid does not reach the northern Gaza Strip.
• UN: “An exodus of displaced people from Rafah towards central Gaza is underway.”
5:39 p.m. – Gallant: “Hamas is looking for a replacement for Sinwar”
“Hamas is looking for a replacement for Yahya Sinwar. The Hamas-Gaza station does not respond. “A tender for the administration of the Gaza Strip is underway,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said at the conclusion of an inspection at the headquarters of the Armed Forces' Southern Regional Command, during which he expressed satisfaction with the successes recorded on the ground. “Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade is not active as a military force,” he said, “it has been defeated.” Two hundred terrorists surrendered at Nasser Hospital, dozens more at Amal Hospital. They understood that they had to surrender or die and that there was no third choice for them.
3:17 p.m. – WHO director: “Nasser Hospital is no longer functional”
“The Nasser Hospital in Gaza is no longer functional after a week-long siege and subsequent ongoing crackdown,” said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to Ghebreyesus, “the cost of delays” in access to treatment “is paid for by patients’ lives.”
12:23 p.m. – Netanyahu: “Government rejects establishment of Palestinian state”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today called on the government to reject “any attempt to unilaterally impose a Palestinian state on Israel.” A statement said the prime minister submitted a statement to ministers for voting in which he reiterated Israel's opposition to any “international dictates.” After reaffirming that an agreement with the Palestinians must emerge from bilateral negotiations, Netanyahu declared that “unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state after the October 7 massacre would represent a huge reward for terrorism.” and would prevent any future peace agreement.”
11:59 a.m. – Ministry of Health: Hamas, almost 30,000 dead and 70,000 injured since October 7th
Repeat with correct title. The death toll in operations by Israeli forces against the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, the day the Islamist group attacked the Jewish state, is at least 28,985 dead and 68,883 injured. This was announced yesterday by the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza, saying that 127 people had died and another 205 were injured in the last 24 hours. The numbers cannot be verified and no distinction is made between civilians and combatants. According to Israeli authorities, about 11,000 Hamas militants have been killed in fighting in Gaza since October 7, in addition to another 1,000 deaths in Israel following the October 7 attack.
10:07 a.m. – Israel Defense Forces: At least 45 Palestinian militiamen killed
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that at least 35 Palestinian fighters were killed in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis and another ten in the central Gaza Strip. A note said that the Israeli military “located and killed approximately 20 terrorists with tank fire” in Khan Younis, while “approximately” another 15 suspected Palestinian militants were killed, “six of whom emerged from terrorist infrastructures.” According to Israeli authorities, about 11,000 Hamas militants have been killed in fighting in Gaza since October 7, in addition to another 1,000 deaths in Israel following the October 7 attack.
8:29 a.m. – Israel: “Operation in Khan Yunis and Nasser continues”
The Israeli army continues to operate in the western part of Khan Yunis, from where Rafah is reached, and in the city's Nasser Hospital. But it also continues its activities in the center of the Gaza Strip. The military spokesman said that “targeted attacks on terrorist infrastructures” had been carried out, “terrorists had been killed and large quantities of weapons had been recovered in the area”.
07:45 – Tel Aviv attacks South Africa after CIG rejects Pretoria's request for Rafah
“South Africa's failed attempt to undermine Israel's right to defend itself and its citizens against the terrorist organization Hamas is further evidence that its claims (the accusation of genocide, editor's note) are unfounded.” This said the Israeli Foreign Ministry, The Times of Israel reports, after the International Court of Justice yesterday rejected South Africa's request to order restrictions on Israeli military operations in Rafah. The ministry further accuses South Africa of “acting as the legal arm of Hamas” and “working to promote the interests of this terrorist organization.” Israel, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, “acts and will continue to act on the basis of its right to protect its citizens and achieve the release of the hostages, while remaining committed to upholding international law and facilitating the transfer of humanitarian and humanitarian assistance. “We are making every effort to prevent harm to innocent civilians.”
4:57 a.m. – Resolution on Gaza, US will not vote on Algeria proposal
“The United States does not support action on this draft resolution. If it comes to a vote in its current version, it will not be adopted.” This is what we read in a statement by the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, on the Algerian draft resolution on the situation in the Middle East.
“For months, the United States has worked tirelessly,” the statement said, “towards a goal that we should all strive for: a sustainable solution to the Gaza conflict, so that Israelis and Palestinians live side by side and on equal terms “Be able to enjoy security and dignity” and freedom. To work toward that future, the United States is working on a hostage-taking agreement between Israel and Hamas that would bring an immediate and sustained period of calm in Gaza for at least six weeks, from which we could then take the time and steps toward building a more lasting peace . Over the past week, President Biden has received numerous calls from Prime Minister Netanyahu and the leaders of Egypt and Qatar to move forward with this agreement. Even if there are still gaps, important elements are on the table. Overall, we believe this deal represents the best opportunity. The resolution presented by the Security Council, on the other hand, would not achieve these results and could even counteract them.”
3:58 a.m. – Al Jazeera: “Over 60 Palestinians have died in the last 24 hours”
“Israeli forces are continuing their ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. And today it was very bloody as more than 60 Palestinians were killed in a series of airstrikes in the central parts of the Gaza Strip as well as in the southern areas of Rafah and Khan Younis.” Al Jazeera writes this in a report from Rafah, adding, that “displaced civilians are facing severe food shortages and fears are growing about a possible Israeli military incursion into Rafah district, which would worsen the humanitarian crisis.”
3:34 a.m. – Netanyahu: “The elections will take place in a few years”
“The elections have a date: in a few years. I suggest that we do not divide, we need unity now.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this at a press conference called this evening, referring to calls for new elections.
3:27 a.m. – Netanyahu: “We will enter Rafah regardless of the agreement”
Israeli troops will enter Rafah regardless of an agreement with Hamas to release the hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this in the press conference this evening. “Even if we get it, we will invade Rafah,” Netanyahu warned, adding: “Those who want to stop us from operating in Rafah are basically telling us to lose the war.” I have President Biden also said.”
2.56am – Tens of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters in London, 12 arrested
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London today. Police arrested 12 people for suspected offenses including inciting racial hatred and attacks on emergency workers. Demonstrators gathered on Park Lane in the center of the British capital with banners demanding “a ceasefire now” while also chanting “Free Palestine.”
02:26 a.m. – Egypt: “An attack on Rafah would be devastating”
An offensive in Rafah would have “devastating effects with very tragic consequences.” This was stated by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. “One can imagine that any large-scale military action will have a devastating impact on the humanitarian situation. People are already suffering from lack of shelter, food, medicine and sanitation,” he said during a panel discussion on the Middle East at the Munich Security Conference. “The current level of conflict is already leading to daily loss of life among men, women and children. And I think the international community is aware of what is happening to the civilian population in Gaza,” he added.
01.44 a.m. – Turin, pro-Palestine procession. Photo of Meloni with burned Netanyahu
(by Massimo Massenzio) Around 500 demonstrators took part in the pro-Palestine march on Saturday afternoon, which began at Largo Marconi in San Salvario. After Thursday afternoon's clashes on Via Verdi, in which seven police officers were injured and 50 identified, there are further accusations against Rai as an “instrument of censorship” and calls against Israel and the Italian government. In the procession you can see the flags of Cambiare Rota, Potere al Popolo, USB and Rifondazione, as well as anarchists and antagonists.
1:13 a.m. – Hamas threatens to end negotiations without aid for the northern Gaza Strip
Hamas has threatened to suspend all negotiations over a possible deal with Israel if humanitarian aid does not reach northern Gaza. A representative of the Islamic faction told the Qatari network Al Jazeera, media reported. “Negotiations cannot be held while hunger is consuming the Palestinian people,” he added.
12:52 a.m. – UN, an exodus of displaced people from Rafah towards central Gaza is underway
Palestinians fleeing the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip are moving from that region to the central areas around Deir al-Balah. This was stated by United Nations officials quoted by The Times of Israel. According to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, “Humanitarian conditions in Rafah have become increasingly serious and there are consistent reports of people stopping aid trucks,” he says. Dujarric says aid deliveries across the Gaza Strip are being hampered by frequent border closures, restrictions on the import of goods, damage to critical infrastructure and the security situation.
12:11 a.m. – Qatar: “The ceasefire negotiations are not very promising”
The negotiations over a ceasefire in Gaza over the last few days are “not very promising”. This was stated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar.